Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
Introduction
Honey Garlic Chicken is a quick and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken pieces with a sweet and savory sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe is simple to prepare and pairs beautifully with steamed rice or vegetables.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless and skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs, cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup corn starch
- 2 tablespoons oil (peanut or vegetable)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons garlic, chopped
- 1/3 cup chicken broth (or water)
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar, or white vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (tamari or gluten-free for gluten-free)
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Mix the chicken pieces into the beaten egg until fully coated, then add the corn starch and toss until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat the oil in a pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, separating the pieces, and cook until golden brown, about 2-4 minutes per side.
- Step 3: While the chicken cooks, combine honey, garlic, chicken broth, vinegar, soy sauce, red pepper flakes (if using), and cornstarch in a bowl.
- Step 4: Pour the sauce mixture into the pan with the chicken. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 1 minute.
- Step 5: Stir in the butter and allow it to melt into the sauce before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Steam rice or brown rice while cooking the chicken so everything finishes simultaneously.
- For a lighter version, omit the egg and cornstarch coating, and cook the chicken in 1 tablespoon of oil instead.
- Add vegetables like snap peas, bell pepper, broccoli, or snow peas for extra color and nutrition.
- Mix in 1 teaspoon chili sauce such as sriracha or sambal oelek for a spicy kick.
- Add 1 teaspoon sesame oil or sprinkle with 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds to enhance flavor.
- Garnish with thinly sliced green onions before serving.
- Serve over cauliflower rice as a low-carb alternative.
Storage
Store leftover Honey Garlic Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. If the sauce thickens too much after refrigeration, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it while reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken pieces to ensure even cooking and proper texture. If using frozen chicken, thaw it completely before starting the recipe.
Is it possible to make this dish gluten-free?
Yes, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative and ensure your cornstarch is pure. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
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Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Honey Garlic Chicken recipe delivers tender, golden-brown chicken pieces coated in a sweet and savory sauce made from honey, garlic, soy sauce, and a touch of vinegar. Quick to make on the stovetop, it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner and pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or vegetables. Optional additions and substitutions allow you to customize the dish to your taste and dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless and skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons oil (peanut or vegetable)
Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons garlic, chopped
- 1/3 cup chicken broth (or water)
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar, or white vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (tamari or gluten-free for gluten-free version)
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional)
Optional Garnishes & Add-Ins
- 1 teaspoon chili sauce (sriracha or sambal oelek)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- Vegetables such as snap peas, sugar peas, snow peas, bell pepper, or broccoli
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken coating: Mix the bite-sized chicken pieces into the lightly beaten egg until fully coated. Then add the cornstarch and gently mix until the chicken is just evenly coated with the starch.
- Cook the chicken: Heat the oil in a pan, skillet, or wok over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken pieces, spreading them out to avoid overcrowding. Cook for about 2-4 minutes per side until the chicken turns golden brown and is cooked through.
- Make the sauce: While the chicken cooks, combine honey, chopped garlic, chicken broth, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, red pepper flakes (if using), and 1 tablespoon cornstarch in a bowl. Stir well to dissolve the cornstarch.
- Simmer the sauce: Pour the sauce mixture into the pan with the cooked chicken. Bring it to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Let it cook for about a minute until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the chicken.
- Finish with butter: Stir in the butter until it melts completely into the sauce, adding a rich finish to the dish.
- Serve: Enjoy the honey garlic chicken hot, paired with steamed rice or your preferred side. Optionally, garnish with sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, or add vegetables during cooking for added flavor and nutrition.
Notes
- For a lighter version, omit the egg and cornstarch coating and cook the chicken in 1 tablespoon of oil instead.
- Add vegetables like snap peas, bell peppers, or broccoli for a complete meal.
- Add 1 teaspoon chili sauce for a spicy kick.
- Use gluten-free tamari soy sauce to make the dish gluten-free.
- Serving over cauliflower rice is a lower-carb alternative to regular rice.
- Steaming rice concurrently is a great way to have a complete meal ready at the same time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: Honey garlic chicken, quick chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, stovetop chicken, sweet garlic sauce, weeknight meal
